News
Building of gigantic hydro power dam may be postponed
There has been strong resistance to Trans-Elektrica’s plans for a hydro power dam in Khudoni. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The building of a controversial hydropower dam in a mountainous region of Georgia may be further postponed, if the company behind it fails to submit the required documents in time. The planned Khudoni hydropower project is located […]
New wave of frequent police searches in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Over a year after a wave of complaints about frequent police searches in the streets, new reports are coming in of the same problem. People are being stopped and searched by the police in the streets. During one such raid, a reporter for media.ge […]
Georgian victim of Ukraine war brought home
The body of Arsen Beridze was brought home to Georgia from Ukraine Monday. (1tv.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–The body of a Georgian who died a few days ago in a bomb explosion in Ukraine’s Donetsk region arrived in Georgia on Monday. Arsen Beridze, 23, from Adjara region, had been living in Ukraine with his family for the past 12 years. He was killed when […]
Georgia sending two delegations to UN
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili will attend the UN Climate Summit 2014 despite the express wishes of Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. The president has said many times that he will go to the US and his plan about the visit hasn’t changed. […]
Georgian president no longer to oversee student scholarships
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government wants to strip the president of the power to set terms for student scholarships and studies abroad. A new draft law about higher education will if passed let the it be up to the government to confirm the use of student advantages, […]
Discussion: Youth unemployment in Georgia – causes and solutions
From left to right: Mariam Gogosashvili, student at GIPA, Temo Kakhidze, student at University of Patriarchate and Elene Beriashvili, student at Tbilisi State University. (Click to watch video.) (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–On September 6, DF Watch organized a discussion about the difficulties youth are having finding employment. We invited students from three different universities to share their views on youth unemployment. They agree that there are problems, […]
Art students in Tbilisi protesting against new government decree
Students at the Academy of Art in Tbilisi are opposed to new rules for electing a rector. (Imedi TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Students demonstrated Friday outside the Culture Ministry against a decision to only allow professors at accredited universities to become rector of the Academy of Art. The decree was signed by Culture Minister Mikheil Giorgadze on September 1. […]
What NATO’s Wales declaration said about Georgia
Heads of state of NATO and partner countries at the Wales summit. TBILISI, DFWatch–A 113 point declaration passed by leaders of NATO countries at the summit in Wales has two points about Georgia. Apart from support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a commitment that it will become a member of NATO someday […]
Boy’s torture sparks crime debate in Georgia
A four-year old boy was tortured with an iron in a village in western Georgia Wednesday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The torture of a 4-year old boy in a village in western Georgia has shocked Georgians and made many question official statistics indicating a significant decrease in crime. Two days ago, Ketevan Arveladze was at home alone with her 4-year old when […]
Georgia warns of possible new landslide in Dariali Valley
Eight people have so far been killed this year in landslides in Dariali Valley. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Geologists in Georgia say heavy rainfall would cause another landslide in Dariali Valley, where eight people have already been killed this year in two natural disasters. Six people were killed in a landslide in Dariali Valley May 17, and two more […]
Georgian president compares Ukraine events with 2008 war
From left to right: Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Giorgi Margvelashvili, David Cameron. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili said in a speech at the NATO summit in Wales that the events in Georgia in 2008 and in Ukraine in 2014 demonstrate that stability and peaceful development of young democracies is a significant challenge […]
Georgian soldiers to take part in military exercise in Ukraine
(Photo published by the Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian platoon is taking part in the annual exercise Rapid Trident in Ukraine September 13-27. The multinational exercise will be conducted at the training ground Yavoriv, nearby the western Ukrainian city Lviv, and include participants […]
NATO chief meets Georgian president
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili (left) and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. (Photo published by NATO.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Thursday met with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in preparation for the NATO summit in Wales. The two talked about the importance of the summit on the background of the Ukraine crisis and the significance […]
Georgian wine export up 69% Jan-Aug ’14
Export of Georgian wine continues to increase. TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia increased its wine export by 69 percent in the first eight months of 2014, compared to last year. According to the the National Wine Agency, the country exported 36,585,769 bottles (0.75 liters) of wine in the period. The agency on Wednesday […]
Georgian parliament calls for end to violence in Ukraine
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament on Wednesday asked the international community to use every kind of means to stop the military actions and aggression in Ukraine, to deescalate the situation and handle humanitarian concerns. This is the third […]
Less visitors to Georgia in August than last year
Georgia had less visitors this August. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–772,216 people visited Georgia in August, which is 0.5 percent less than in August 2013. The new statistics published by the Interior Ministry shows that 3,685,834 people visited Georgia in the first eight months of 2014. This is a 3 percent drop […]
Wales Summit: NATO discusses setting up new mission in Georgia
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Against the backdrop of tragic events going on in Ukraine, Georgian delegation left optimistic to Wales to take part in the NATO Summit on Sept. 4-5, while NATO states that it expects establishing new defense capacity building mission in Georgia. Although […]
Georgia offers rehabilitation for Ukrainian children
Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze on Tuesday offered her Ukrainian colleague to bring children to Georgia for vacation and rehabilitation course. Panjikidze made the offer during a phone conversation with Pavlo Klimkin. She said that the […]
NATO plans to hold more military exercises in Georgia
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO is ramping up its defense of Eastern Europe with a new expeditionary force that will be able to “travel light but strike hard if needed”. Also planned are five new bases in the Baltic states, Poland and Romania, according to Frankfurter Allgemeine […]
Police chief investigated for beating detective
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of the police department and his deputy at one of the regions in Georgia on Sunday beat investigator Roman Korshia. He required medical assistance. The participants in the incidents are not commenting. An investigation was launched […]
53,067 were granted Georgian citizenship during Saakashvili
Ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–53,067 foreigners were granted Georgian citizenship from 2005 to 2013, and in 2013 the president granted citizenship to most of them – 9,626 people. According to the report of Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), the […]
Georgia begins free trade with EU
Deputy Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A free trade agreement between Georgia and the European Union came into force today, September 1. This means that Georgian product may be exported to Europe without customs fee. Free trade was part of an association agreement Georgia signed with […]
Georgia preparing to send humanitarian assistance to Ukraine
Health Minister Davit Sergeenko. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Children and injured people will be brought from Ukraine to Georgia for treatment, and Georgia will offer humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said on Saturday. “We are also thinking of bringing children, injured, […]
50 Yazidis from Iraq ask for asylum in Georgia
Agit Mirzoev, head of House of Yazidis in Georgia. TBILISI, DFWatch–Kurdish Yazidis who fled from Iraq are seeking asylum in Georgia. Agit Mirzoev, the head of House of Yazidis in Georgia, told DF Watch that about 50 Yazidis have come to Georgia and asked the government for asylum. He said another group is expected […]
Saakashvili makes appearance on Turkish border
Ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former President Mikheil Saakashvili on Saturday appeared at Sarpi checkpoint’s Turkish side, on the border between Georgia and Turkey and met with members and supporters of his National Movement party. After his appearance was reported, the Prosecutor’s Office started […]
Russia-Georgia border reopened after landslide
(Photo published by Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The road through Dariali Valley in Georgia is reopened for traffic with some restrictions, ten days after it was hit by a landslide. The road itself, and Larsi border crossing, will be opened from 07:00 to 18:00 without restrictions, but the rest of the time, […]
Georgia to ask Interpol help detain Saakashvili
Ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia is preparing to ask Interpol to issue a red alert for ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili and declare him internationally wanted. In mid-August, Georgia announced a domestic search for Saakashvili, which means that […]
Ukraine support rally demands more forceful response from Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–People demonstrated in front of the old parliament building in Tbilisi Friday in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression. Demonstrators called on the international community to make more efforts to help Ukraine in the ongoing crisis. […]
Georgia’s growth up 7.2% in July
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s estimated real GDP growth in July 2014 was 7.2 percent more than in the same period last year, according to preliminary results from Georgia’s Statistics Department, GeoStat. Estimated GDP growth in the second quarter of 2014 was 5.1 […]
Azerbaijan fires four customs guards after record heroin seizure
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four employees of Azerbaijan’s customs service have been fired following the seizure in Georgia of 2.8 tons of liquid heroin in July. According to the Azerbaijani newspaper Eni Musavat, the four fired employees were working at the custom’s check-point […]
Grand Mufti of Caucasus visits Georgia
Grand Mufti of Caucasus, Haji Allahshükür Hummat Pashazade. (Photo published by trend.az.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Grand Mufti of Caucasus, Haji Allahshükür Hummat Pashazade, arrived this morning for a two day visit to Georgia. Pashazade, who is based in Baku, Azerbaijan, was greeted at the airport by Georgian Patriarch Ilia II, who hosted him at the main […]
Three men shot dead in Georgian village
(Photo published by sknews.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three men were killed Thursday night near Adigeni in southern Georgia. The suspect is a local public registry official. A brother of one of the three murder victims was also injured. The killing took place in the village Karatubani, where there was […]
Georgian takes gold medal in World Judo Championship
Avtandil Chrikashvili won gold in men’s half middleweight in the World Judo Championship. (Photo published by the Georgian Judo Federation.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Avtandil Chrikashvili, 23, won a gold medal in the 2014 World Judo Championship on Thursday in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Chrikashvili won six fights and in the end defeated Antoine Valois-Fortier from Canada in the men’s half middleweight […]
Georgia’s government coalition has lost popularity
Defense Minister Irakli Alasania is the most popular politician, if we are to believe the American NDI’s newest survey. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government coalition and its leading figures have lost popularity, according to a new poll by National Democratic Institute (NDI). 42 percent of the questioned say the Georgian Dream coalition is closer to them, while 11 percent say they feel […]
Religious summer camp brings children together across confessions
The camp in Vartsikhe brought together children of different religious background. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A ten-day summer camp was organized in mid-August for about one hundred Georgian Muslim and Christian children. The camp is aimed at making friends, train and educate, as well as breaking down prejudices about religion. Giorgi Jaiani, 15, came […]
Georgia qualifies for EuroBasket with 71-59 win against Portugal
Georgia’s basketball team is qualified for the European championship next year, after winning against Portugal. TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s basketball team won 71-59 against Portugal on Wednesday and is qualified for FIBA 2015. The Georgian team is now on top of Group E with four wins and two losses, followed by Czech Republic, Hungary and Portugal. Georgia’s […]
Georgian health minister in Ukraine developing aid plan
Health Minister Davit Sergeenko. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Health Minister Davit Sergeenko started his visit to Ukraine by making several agreements about offering assistance to Ukraine as result of the crisis there. A bilateral working group is being created to coordinate the assistance. Sergeenko Wednesday […]
Georgia ends visa free rules for 24 countries
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is ending visa free rules for citizens of 24 countries from September 1. But people from 94 countries can still visit the country without a visa. However, those who are allowed to stay in Georgia without a visa, may now only stay for 90 days, […]
Second body found after Dariali landslide
(Photo published by Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A second person has been found dead on Wednesday, after the massive landslide in Dariali Valley on August 21. Two people died in the disaster, one was a citizen of Turkey and one a Georgian citizen. Both were working in a tunnel when a landslide hit […]
Georgia’s health minister to visit Ukraine, offer assistance
Health Minister Davit Sergeenko. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian health minister Davit Sergeenko will go to Ukraine on Wednesday in order to learn what kind of assistance Ukraine needs and how Georgia can help. After a government session on Tuesday, he said that Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili […]
Less Georgians think Russia is a threat
Russian soldiers in the 2008 war. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–42 percent of Georgians think Russia is a real and existing threat to Georgia, according to a new survey. The survey by National Democratic Institute (NDI) shows that 36 percent think Russia is a threat to Georgia, but an exaggerated one. 15 percent […]
KaZantip festival in Georgia a failure, may be cancelled
KaZantip visitors are making the most of it, but some are disappointed. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The long-awaited music festival KaZantip turned out a disappointment for some visitors and the head organizer. The electronic music festival, which has been held for the last decade in Crimea, was moved to Georgia’s Black Sea coast after Russia’s […]
Suspect in Girgvliani murder avoids jail time after plea deal
Oleg Melnikov may soon leave jail as a result of a plea deal. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Tbilisi has offered one of the suspects in the Girgvliani murder a plea bargain, after he pleaded guilty more than a week ago. Oleg Melnikov, former Interior Ministry official, recently admitted guilt in the murder of Sandro Girgvliani in 2006. […]
NDI survey looks at Georgians’ views on Church’s influence
Bishop Iakob called on people not to vote for the National Movement. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Jobs, poverty and territorial integrity are the most important national issues, as Georgians see it. 3 percent of those questioned in a new survey say that the number of jobs in Georgia increased after the parliamentary election in 2012. […]
How Georgians view minorities: Protect minority groups but not gays
One of the injured in the anti-gay rally on May 17, 2013. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–63 percent of Georgians think it is important to protect the rights of minorities, but they don’t want such protection extended to sexual minorities. National Democratic Institute (NDI) on Monday published the results of its newest survey of public […]
Khajimba won disputed election in Abkhazia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–On Sunday, there was held de facto presidential election in the Georgian breakaway region Abkhazia. Preliminary results show that Raul Khajimba won with 50.57 percent of the votes, according to Batal Tabaghua, head of the region’s election […]
Three Georgians detained near South Ossetia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers last week detained three Georgian citizens at a village bordering with the breakaway region South Ossetia. According to Channel 1, Russians detained a father and son, Avtandil and Shota Atskarunashvili, and later also Ilia […]
Georgia’s basketball team won 79-59 against Hungary
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s national basketball team won 79-59 against Hungary on Sunday, in a qualification match for the 2015 FIBA EuroBasket. The Georgian team was only losing for one quarter of Sunday’s match. Tornike Shengelia played best among the teammates […]
26,000 passed university entrance exams in Georgia
Maia Miminoshvili, head of the National Exam Center. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 26,000 candidates have been accepted as students this year, according to the head of Georgia’s National Exam Center. Maia Miminoshvili told journalists that about 35,500 entrants took their test exams this year, but 9,000 failed to pass. […]
Human chain outside Ukrainian embassy in Tbilisi
(Photo published by Free Zone, a youth group which supports the National Movement.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement demonstrated outside the Ukrainian embassy in Tbilisi on Saturday, to mark the 25 year anniversary of Freedom Chain, an anti-Soviet protest, and to express solidarity with Ukraine. Demonstrators called on the government […]
Abkhazia to hold presidential election August 24
Raul Khajimba. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–August 24, there will be held presidential election in the breakaway region Abkhazia. Four candidates are standing in the election, all of whom have general’s rank. Raul Khajimba, the key figure in the toppling of former de facto president […]
Armenia’s gas supply restored, pipeline repaired after landslide
The pipeline supplies Armenia with Russian natural gas and runs through Georgia. (Photo published by Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Gas began flowing again Saturday in a pipeline that runs through a Georgian mountain valley which was hit by a landslide on August 21. The pipeline through Dariali Valley brings Russian natural gas to Armenia. According to Georgia’s Gas Transport […]
Conflict erupts about illegal tree-cutting in Georgia
Locals in Khaishi blocked the road Friday in protest against fines imposed on people who cut trees for firewood. (TV3.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Locals demonstrated Friday in a Georgian village because of strict rules about the cutting of trees for fire wood. People in Khaishi, in the northern part of Georgia, blocked the Zugdidi-Mestia highway because of sanctions introduced […]
Ice bucket challenge spreads to Georgia
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili is joining the Ice Bucket Challenge. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian celebrities, including politicians and journalists, are joining the international charity movement Ice Bucket Challenge, which aims gathering donations to support treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. ALS is a disease […]
Fight between inmates in Gardabani prison
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two prisoners clashed at Prison No 6 in Gardabani on Friday. The fight took place at 01:00 at night. Relatives and family were gathered at the prison, and some of them told journalists that law enforcement entered the prison, but the Prison Ministry […]
Danger of more landslides in Dariali
After two catastrophic landslides in three months, the government has decided to place a weather monitoring station in Dariali. (Photo published by Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There is a danger that more snow may come loose from Devdorak glacier and trigger another landslide in Dariali Valley, Georgia’s Environment Ministry warns. Experts working for the National Agency of Environment have visually surveyed […]
One person found dead after landslide in Georgia
(Photo published by Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One person has been found dead after the landslide catastrophe in Georgia on Thursday. The body was found on the bank of the river Tergi near the village Larsi on the Russian side of the border. According to head of Kazbegi municipality Givi […]
Georgian prosecutors examining finances of former parliament speaker
Davit Bakradze, former Speaker of Parliament. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office wants to study the income of Davit Bakradze, former Speaker of Parliament and MP for the National Movement. The office said in a statement on Wednesday that information reported by the media about Bakradze indicates […]
New catastrophic landslide hits Georgia’s Dariali Valley, two missing
Thursday’s landslide in Dariali Valley caused more material damage than the one on May 17, 2014. (Photo published by Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three months after a landslide disaster in a Georgian valley near the Russian border, another landslide struck Thursday, severing the only road across the Caucasus mountain range and cutting gas supply to Armenia. Two people are missing. […]
Delayed ratification of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine’s EU treaties
TBILISI, DFWatch–Two members of the European Parliament on Wednesday called on member states to accelerate the ratification of the association agreements signed with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in June. Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine signed association agreements […]
KaZantip opens as conservatives protest
Conservatives protested outside the old parliament building in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Conservative groups continued protesting against KaZantip Wednesday as the music festival opened at 9 pm in the evening. Those opposed to the festival are radical Orthodox Christians and small opposition parties. On Wednesday one such group held a protest […]
Georgian PM visits Armenia August 21-22
Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili will visit Armenia on August 21-22. After meeting his Armenian colleague, Gharibashvili and the rest of the Georgian delegation will meet with Armenian government representatives. Prime Minister Hovik […]
Saakashvili returns clothes after embezzlement charge
Police took action as clothes belonging to former President Saakashvili were delivered at the government office. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on Tuesday returned clothes to the government in Georgia, after being charged with inappropriate spending while in office. A few days ago, the Prosecutor’s Office charged Saakashvili with […]
Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan strengthen energy transport security
Defense ministers from three countries: Georgia’s Irakli Alasania, Azerbaijan’s Zakir Hasanov and Turkey’s İsmet Yılmaz. (Photo by Georgia’s Defense Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The defense ministers of Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan met Tuesday in the Azerbaijani enclave Nakhchivan, a landlocked region on the border between Armenia and Iran. This is the first time defense ministers from the three countries hold a trilateral […]
Mosque issue in Batumi remains unresolved
Tariel Nakaidze, one of the founders of the Union of Georgian Muslims. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Years have passed without a solution to the need for a new mosque in Batumi. The governments keep promising Muslims that they will make a decision, but according to Muslims, both the central and the local government are attempting to delay […]
Government wants to reduce president’s power as commander in chief
President Giorgi Margvelashvili with Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan in March, 2014. (Photo by Defense Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia wants to limit the power of the president as commander in chief. The draft bill will take away the president’s power to approve the regulation of the Joint Staff, and the head of the Joint Staff will become subordinate […]
Georgian president rejects ex-interior minister’s citizenship application
Kakha Targamadze was Georgian interior minister in the late 1990s. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili has rejected former Interior Minister Kakha Targamadze’s application for Georgian citizenship. The decision follows a call by the National Movement to not approve the application by the controversial […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover Jan-Jul ’14 up 14 %
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in January-July 2014 was USD 6,480 million. This is 14 percent more than in same period last year. Preliminary data published by the Statistics Department on Monday show that import in the first seven months […]
Georgia’s Orthodox Church signs agreement with Defense Ministry
Defense Minister Irakli Alasania (left) and Patriarch Ilia II (center), signing the memorandum. (Photo by the Defense Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Ministry of Defense on Sunday signed a memorandum with the country’s Orthodox Church. The agreement was signed at Trinity (Sameba) Cathedral by Defense Minister Irakli Alasania and Patriarch Ilia II and is about ‘spiritual, […]
Health minister warns about heat wave in Georgia
Georgian Health Minister Davit Sergeenko. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian health minister warns people against staying too long out in the sun as temperatures many places in Georgia will surpass 40 degrees Celsius (104 F), according to the national environmental agency. Health Minister Davit Sergeenko […]
Georgia’s basketball team won against Portugal
Georgia won 90-91 against Portugal Sunday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s national basketball team Sunday evening won against Portugal in a qualification match for FIBA EuroBasket 2015 played at Arena Dolce Vita in Ovar. Georgia won 90-91, which was quite surprising as the team was losing the game almost before the fourth […]
Defense ministers of Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan meet Monday
Georgia’s Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The defense ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey will meet in Azerbaijan on Monday. Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania said Sunday this is the first formal meeting between the three ministers and has been planned for a long time. […]
Georgian prosecutors publish more details about Saakashvili’s spending
Mikheil Saakashvili, former Georgian president. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office on Saturday published more details about what ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili spent money for that was meant to be used for the security force SSPS. Saakashvili is charged with embezzlement of more than eight […]
Ambulances in Georgia need frequent repair, causing late response
The ambulance at the hospital in Kharagauli. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ambulances in Georgia will begin responding to calls from patients according to the severity of their cases instead of who called first, according to the Health Ministry. In many cases, especially in villages and regions outside of population centers, […]
Saakashvili says spending was necessary
Mikheil Saakashvili, former Georgian president. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili again denies the new corruption charge about embezzling eight million lari from the security force SSPS. Prosecutors say instead of using the money on the SSPS, Saakashvili spent it on vacations, presents, […]
KaZantip organizer to priests: ‘We have a no drugs policy’
KaZantip is planned held in Anaklia, a beach resort in Georgia near the border with Abkhazia. (Palitra.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The manager of KaZantip has offered to meet priests and conservative activists to discuss the music festival, claiming that they are misinformed. Orthodox activists demonstrated near the festival site Thursday using biblical slogans warning […]
Search order issued for ex-President Saakashvili
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has issued a domestic search order for ex-President Mikheil Saakahsvili. Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office prepared the order and has forwarded it to the Interior Ministry. This means that if Saakashvili enters the country, […]
Georgian conservatives demonstrate against KaZantip
Orthodox activists are against the music festival KaZantip. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian conservatives continue trying to stop the music festival KaZantip from going ahead in Georgia and Thursday organized another rally, this time attempting to enter the festival compound. Orthodox clerics and followers a few days ago […]
38 died in fires in Georgia Jan-Jun ’14
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There were 1,703 fires in Georgia in the first half of 2014. 38 people died and 61 were injured, according to the Interior Ministry. In 1,005 of the cases, the reason for the fire could not be determined. In 333 cases, the cause was negligence, […]
Georgia tightens regulation of prescription drugs
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In an extremely controversial move, Georgia’s Ministry of Health is tightening the regulation of prescription drugs. Seen as a step away of the former government’s deregulation stance, the initiative by the Ministry of Labor, Health […]
Saakashvili denies embezzlement charge in Facebook post
Ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili denies new charges that he spent money meant for the special protection service on his own lavish life style. Prosecutors in Georgia charged him Wednesday with having spent 8.8 million lari (USD […]
Yazidis in Tbilisi call on the world to stop ISIS
Yazidis in Tbilisi demonstrated against the brutal attacks on their people by ISIS in Iraq. (Photo: Georgian Union of Kurdish Youth.) TBILISI, DFWatch–‘Stop ISIS’ was the slogan of a rally organized by the Yazidi community in Tbilisi as a show of solidarity with their besieged countrymen in Iraq, who suffer from ruthless savagery by the terrorists from Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). […]
Saakashvili charged with embezzlement of security force money
USD 4,600 spent on two tailor made suits is one of the expenses former President Saakashvili must answer for. (Photo published by the president.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prosecutors in Georgia have brought further charges against former President Mikheil Saakashvili about embezzlement of public money. The case describes embezzlement of about 8.8 million lari (USD 5.2 million) meant to be used for the protection […]
180 died in traffic in Georgia Jan-Jun ’14
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–180 people died in traffic accidents in Georgia in the first half of 2014, according to new figures from the Interior Ministry. The figures published Tuesday show that an upward turn in road accidents has stopped, but numbers remain high compared […]
A hundred houses flooded in Georgian village Kvishkheti
Mudwater soiled a hundred houses in Kvishkheti, near Khashuri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A hundred houses were flooded in a small Georgian village Tuesday night. Due to heavy and long rain, villages were flooded in an area near Khashuri in the central parts of Georgia. The flood hit hardest in Kvishkheti, which […]
Stalin bust in Akura, Georgia, taken down
The restored bust of Stalin before it was taken down. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A bust of Stalin was Tuesday dismantled in a small village in Georgia, less than a day after it was put up. It is still unknown who placed the monument in Akura, in the eastern part of the country, but the same bust has been erected several times in two […]
Georgia to take part in humanitarian effort in Ukraine
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is to join an international humanitarian effort in Luhansk, Ukraine. This became known on Tuesday. Last week, Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said Georgia is not planning to join the international sanctions EU and the United […]
Disputed Stalin bust goes up again in Georgian village
The Stalin bust in Akura, Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A bust of Joseph Stalin was re-erected in a Georgian village Monday night. It is unknown who put it there. The reemerged bust is located in Akura, a village in Eastern Georgia. After the change of government in Georgia in late 2012, busts and […]
Scuffle outside Tbilisi City Hall as people queue to meet mayor
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There was a quarrel outside Tbilisi City Hall on Monday between people who wanted to meet the mayor and tell him about their problems. Newly elected Mayor Davit Narmania decided to set aside one day to meet with citizens. Hundreds of people turned […]
Merabishvili loses appeal in May 26 case
Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeals Court in Georgia upheld the City Court’s guilty verdict against former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili for the May 26, 2011, violent dispersal of anti-government protesters. Tbilisi City Court in February sentenced Merabishvili […]
Suspect in Girgvliani case pleads guilty
Oleg Melnikov said Saakashvili and higher officials decided to cover up the murder. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former government official in Georgia has pleaded guilty in the murder of bank employee Sandro Girgvliani in 2006. The 28-year old Girgvliani was brutally murdered after a scuffle at a cafe in Tbilisi, during a birthday party for an Interior Ministry […]
Georgian president accuses prosecutors of releasing classified document
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili accuses the Prosecutor’s Office of publishing a document which was classified as top secret, but the office denied this. August 8, Margvelashvili expressed concern about the publishing of […]
Georgian village hasn’t had running water for two decades
Residents of Ninigori demand running water. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Locals demonstrated in an eastern Georgian village on Monday, demanding to get running water installed. People living in the village Ninigori in the Lagodekhi region claim they have been without running water for more than 20 years. During all this time, […]
Police officer detained in Georgia for receiving bribe
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A police employee was Sunday detained in Batumi, a city on Georgia’s Black Sea coast, accused of receiving a bribe two days prior. According to the Interior Ministry’s press department, the general inspection detained an employee of the patrol […]
Georgia beats Czech Republic 73-62 in EuroBasket qualifier
Georgia won 73-62 against Czech Republic in Tbilisi on Sunday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s basketball team won 73-62 against the Czech Republic on Sunday in a qualification match for FIBA EuroBasket 2015. There was a scuffle during the match. On one of the tribunes, Georgian fans started a quarrel. It didn’t last long, […]
Georgian FM criticized for not clearly supporting Russia sanctions
Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign minister is criticized by opponents for saying that the economic sanctions against Russia will not solve the Ukraine crisis. The minister says she was misinterpreted. Maia Panjikidze on Thursday said that sanctions against Russia […]
Georgian president defends decision to use lavish palace
The presidential palace lies on a hill overlooking Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili last year thought the presidential palace was too luxurious for him to use, but now he defends his decision to make it his place of work. In the presidential election campaign in October, 2013, Margvelashvili […]
Georgian leader attacks Swedish foreign minister
Georgian PM Gharibashvili called Sweden’s foreign minister a part of Saakashvili’s friends club. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A war of words developed between Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Georgian PM Irakli Gharibashvili on Friday as the two spoke on the phone. In the conversation, Gharibashvili called Bildt, as well as Lithuanian FM Linas Linkevicius, members […]
Georgian president rebuffs MP for criticizing Bildt
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia President Giorgi Margvelashvili has rebuffed a parliamentarian in his own coalition for criticizing a tweet by Sweden’s Foreign Minister Carl Bildt. The controversy started when Bildt criticized the criminal charges against former President Mikheil […]
Georgia’s Patriarch Ilia II gives white horse to PM
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili was given a horse by Patriarch Ilia II. (Photo published on the PM’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Patriarch Ilia II on Tuesday gave Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili a white horse. The event took place at the end of a visit by the PM to the Patriarch’s hometown Sno in Kazbegi, northern Georgia. The two visited Larsi checkpoint, […]
Georgian minister: sanctions not proper way out of Ukraine crisis
Photo: Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze (left) and Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili during an ambassadorial in Tbilisi on August 6 (PM’s Press Office). Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia’s Foreign Minister says that western sanctions against Russia and reciprocal moves by the Kremlin are not proper way out of the Ukrainian crisis and that conflict should be solved rather by the negotiations. Maia Panjikidze, […]
Georgian foreign minister criticizes Carl Bildt’s tweet
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt. TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign minister says Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt is putting to perssure on the courts in Georgia by a statement criticizing the investigation of former officials. Foreign Minsiter Maia Panjikidze said this on Wednesday […]
Georgians injured in bus accident in Turkey
TBILISI, DFWatch–There was an accident on Wednesday in Rize, Turkey, which left ten passengers injured, including citizens of Georgia. Representatives of the Health Ministry of Adjara left for Turkey to see citizens of Georgia. According to Deputy Health […]
Discussion: Georgian youth and higher education
Tako Kakabadze (left) and Temo Kakhidze. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–DF Watch last week organized a discussion about education and the problem of self-realization among youth. The discussion included representatives of the youth wings of political parties. Tako Kakabadze, chair of the youth wing […]
Outgoing NATO chief writes critical send-off to partner Russia
Outgoing NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen writes that Russia has stirred up conflicts in Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia. In an opinion piece published in Financial Times, Rasmussen writes that after the collapse of communism, NATO has made […]
Mine worker dies of electrical shock in Chiatura, Georgia
The accident happened when a worker’s shoulder touched an uninsulated cable. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A mine worker died from electrical shock Tuesday night in Chiatura, a manganese mining town in western Georgia. Engineer Zaliko Tkemaladze was trying to repair a damaged locomotive at night in the Shukruti mine when the accident happened. […]
Saakashvili’s appeal turned down
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeals Court in Georgia left in force a decision by Tbilisi City Court to place ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili and former officials in pre-trial detention in a case concerning the violent dispersal of an anti-government demonstration on November 7, 2007. […]
New charges against Saakashvili
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has brought further charges against ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili and other former officials in a case concerning an attack on a former parliamentarian. Prosecutors say Saakashvili and former Interior […]
Rights groups want tougher reaction to chauvinistic football fans
TBILISI, DFWatch–A number of human rights organizations in Georgia have united under the name ‘No to Phobia’ and want the government to show a tougher attitude to what happened during a football match between Georgian and Azerbaijani teams a few days ago. […]
New rules for visitors to Georgia from September
Tbilisi international airport. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–From September 1, Georgia introduces new rules for foreigners who wish to stay for shorter or longer periods of time. The new rules are about visa and residency permit, and about procedures for expelling illegal immigrants. The government recently […]
Georgia preparing for visit by Angela Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government has begun preparing for a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, even though the exact date of her visit is still unknown. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze on Sunday met with the German ambassador […]
4,000 people in Georgia have had no running water for two months
Four thousand people in Velistsikhe in the eastern Kakheti region have to drive their household water from several kilometers away. TBILISI, DFWatch–People demonstrated on Sunday in a Georgian village where 4,000 people have been without running water for two months. Locals in Velistsikhe near Gurjaani claim the head of municipality Gia Gergidze is doing nothing to solve the water problem. […]
Georgian government official gives details about UN committee’s work
Surb Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi, where priests were attacked by a crowd last month. TBILISI, DFWatch–A government official in Georgia has provided details about the internal work of a United Nations committee tasked with overseeing the human rights situation in member countries. Levan Isakhanyan, Head of the Department of Legal Affairs, Relations […]
Georgian Church plans big demonstration against KaZantip
Archimandrite Antimoz. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Clerics in Georgia plan a big demonstration against the music festival KaZantip, and have started information work and preparing the Church and clerics. Archimandrite Antimoz on Sunday told Interpressnews that the rally is going to be peaceful […]
Azerbaijan postpones enforcement of car standards
TBILISI, DFWatch–Azerbaijan has postponed the introduction of new restrictions on cars entering from Georgia until August 16. Georgian officials say the reason is a need to inform Georgians about the new rules. Azerbaijan decided in January, 2014, […]
Saakashvili given pre-trial detention in absentia
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili speaking in Kiev in March, 2014. (Maestro.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Friday evening decided to issue a pre-trial detention order for ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, although he is not in Georgia at the moment. After leaving office in November 2013, the former president has not been in Georgia. […]
Georgian and Azerbaijani football supporters clash in Baku
Chikhura supporters brought with them a map which shows Georgia with expanded territories. TBILISI, DFWatch-UEFA has issued a 15,000 euros fine to a Georgian football team after its supporters clashes with supporters of an Azerbaijanian team in Baku. The clashes took place during and after a qualification match for UEFA Europe League. After the match, another […]
Georgian and Russian diplomats talk on phone about trade
Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian diplomat says the reason Russia decided to suspend its free trade agreement with Georgia is that Georgia is not member of the Russia-initiated Customs Union. Zurab Abashidze, Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Russian […]
Two Georgians detained by Russian soldiers
A sign warning about the de facto border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have detained two Georgian citizens outside the village Kveshi, near Gori, which borders on the South Ossetian breakaway region. According to Interpressnews, the detainees are Zakro Butkhuzi, from Kveshi, and his guest Buta […]
New bill to regulate sale of agricultural land in Georgia
Lasha Tughushi, Director of the Academy. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Liberal Academy Tbilisi foundation addresses parliament with a draft bill about Georgia regarding regulations of selling lands to the foreign citizens. The organization on Thursday held a presentation of the draft and a study conducted by the […]
Georgia downplays impact of losing free trade with Russia
Georgian PM Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Government officials in Georgia claim it will not bring serious financial harm to the country if Russia suspends its free trade agreement with Georgia. On Wednesday, the Russian Duma was reported to be preparing a draft bill about suspending […]
280 prisoners pardoned by president’s commission
Prison No 8 in Gldani, Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of Georgia on Thursday pardoned 280 prisoners. According to the new head of the president’s pardon commission Zviad Koridze, eight of those pardoned are women and 10 minors. The commission has reviewed 2,744 cases. […]
Russia to suspend free trade agreement with Georgia
Georgia’s wine export has boomed after a recent taw in relations with Russia. TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia plans to suspend its free trade agreement with Georgia. According to Ria Novosti, the Russian Duma has prepared a draft bill about suspending the free trade agreement with Georgia. The note of the draft reads that the agreement signed between […]
Waiting for new school building in Lambalo
Only the foundation of the new school has been built so far. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For seven years, children in the small predominantly Azeri village Lambalo in Georgia have had to attend school classes in old barns. In 2006, a group of experts announced that the old school in Lambalo had been sold and it was closed. The school […]
Pro-Israel demonstration in Tbilisi
About 50 demonstrated in Tbilisi on Tuesday in support of Israel. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of Georgians demonstrated in front of the old parliament in Tbilisi on Tuesday in support of Israel. The rally was planned through Facebook and was joined by about 50 people. Representatives of the Jewish community in Georgia were present […]
Georgian government promises to solve Batumi mosque issue
Friday prayer at Orta Jame mosque in Batumi, Georgia. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government has promised once more to find a solution so Muslims in Batumi can have a place to pray. The only mosque in the city is too small to fit all the Muslims coming to pray. For decades, Muslims have been asking for permission […]
Saakashvili: ‘I have never committed a crime’
Former President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on Monday responded to the criminal charges brought against him by writing that he has never committed a crime. “They have never proved that I’ve been guilty in any crime as I’ve never committed one […]
UN expert panel supports Georgia’s investigations
The family of murdered ranger Davit Tsendeliani demonstrated in June, demanding justice. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The United Nations Human Rights Committee urges Georgia to continue its trials against former officials and welcomes the country’s adoption of an anti-discrimination law last May. This is some of the content of a new report drawn up by the influential […]
Three died when river flooded village in Georgia
Three lives were lost as the Vani-Sulori river swelled and flooded adjacent areas. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three people died when the town Vani in western Georgia was flooded on Sunday. Heavy rain made the river swell and swoop up several cars and carry them away. A total of five people were in the cars. Three were found Sunday night, one of whom […]
Georgia on imported electricity while power lines being repaired
Two of the transmission lines that failed are now working, but until all three are fixed, Georgia is on imported electricity. (Photo published by Georgian State Electrosystems.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is now being supplied with electricity that is imported from neighboring countries, after three high-voltage power lines failed yesterday. Director of the electricity system, Sulkhan Zumburidze, said Monday that the import from two […]
Saakashvili formally charged for 2007 crackdown
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili during an interview with a Ukrainian TV channel. (112.ua.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili was Monday criminally charged for the hardhanded crackdown on anti-government protesters and the storming of a TV station in Tbilisi on November 7, 2007. […]
Two missing after flood in Vani, Georgia
Two women are missing in Vani after a flood Sunday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two women are missing after several villages were flooded Sunday in Vani, a town in the west of Georgia, after heavy rain. Zaza Khurtsidze, head of Vani municipality, told Interpressnews that two women are missing. Three others went missing but […]
Electricity back online in Georgia after massive outage
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Trains stopped and all but one national TV station went off air in Georgia Sunday evening as much of the country was in the dark for several hours. Late in the night, power was restored in Tbilisi and all other regions, according to the Energy […]
Traditionalists are against holding music festival KaZantip in Georgia
National Front and People’s Assembly are against holding a festival like KaZantip in a country with ancient traditions. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of religious radicals protested in Tbilisi on Saturday against the music festival KaZantip, which is planned in the end of August in Anaklia, a sea resort in western Georgia. The same day, locals in Anaklia demonstrated in support of the […]
Massive power outage in Georgia
The massive power outage is caused by a failure in a high voltage power line. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A failure in a high-voltage power line has left large parts of Georgia without electricity Sunday evening. The capital Tbilisi is among the areas affected by the massive outage, which the Energy Ministry believes is caused by the failure of a 500 kV […]
New ministers confirmed by lighthearted Georgian parliament
Giorgi Khachidze (left) posing for a selfie with Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze. (Photo published by Khachidze.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Though officially on summer break, the parliament in Georgia convened on Saturday to declare trust in the government after seven of the ministers were replaced. The vote ended with 89 out of 150 representatives declaring trust in the government. No-one […]
NATO to strengthen cooperation along Russia’s southwest fringes
Hugh Bayley (left), President of NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and Georgian Speaker of Parliament, Davit Usupashvili. (Photo published by the parliament press office.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of NATO Parliamentary Assembly says the alliance will strengthen its cooperation with countries along Russia’s southwest borders. Hugh Bayley, a member of the British parliament for the Labour party, says one of the main topics […]
Georgian Church wants music festival called off
KaZantip will be organized in Anaklia from August 20 to August 30. TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Orthodox Church is against holding the electronic music festival KaZantip in Georgia, claiming that it will ‘harm’ Georgians. The ten-day music festival used to be held in Crimea, but due to the Russian annexation it will this year be held in Anaklia, on the Black […]
Georgian lawmaker wants to ban Russian TV channels
Giorgi Baramidze, member of parliament for the National Movement. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A lawmaker from the National Movement wants to ban Russian news channels in Georgia. Giorgi Baramidze floated the idea in a Facebook post last Saturday, but has not yet decided whether to make a formal proposal. Baramidze later explained […]
90% of cars in Georgia are more than 10 years old
The used car market in Rustavi near Tbilisi. (Rustavi.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 90 percent of the cars people drive in Georgia are from before 2004, according to a new report by the Interior Ministry. The report, which was published on Friday, deals with cars registered in Georgia, but also imported and re-exported […]
Georgian and Turkish football players clash in Tbilisi
The fight broke out during a match between Georgia’s Chikhura played and Turkey’s Bursa. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian and Turkish soccer players clashed in Tbilisi on Thursday, during a qualification match for UEFA Europe League. Georgia’s Chikhura defeated Turkey’s Bursa with a score 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out. The scuffle started when a Georgian […]
Rustavi 2 head acquitted in appeals court
Nika Gvaramia, head of Rustavi 2 TV. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeals Court in Georgia on Thursday acquitted the head of Rustavi 2 TV in a corruption case. Rustavi 2 boss Nika Gvaramia was charged with accepting a bribe, money laundering, preparing fake financial documents, using them and helping in false […]
NATO politicians on visit to Georgia
Hugh Bayley (left) shaking hands with then Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili during a visit by NATO Parliamentary Assembly in May 2013. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of NATO politicians are arriving in Georgia on Thursday, to meet Georgian politicians and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The delegation is headed by the president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, British Labour […]
Insults exchanged in parliament’s human rights committee
Committee head Eka Beselia. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two members of the Georgian parliament insulted each other on Thursday during a meeting of the human rights committee. The committee was discussing the Public Defender’s annual report for 2013 when Chiora Taktakishvili from the National Movement […]
Three detained in Georgia for tax fraud with Iranian tar sand
The investigative service is a body under the Finance Ministry tasked with exposing financial crimes. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Finance Ministry’s investigative service on Thursday detained three persons for organized financial crime that caused the state a loss of 345,774 lari (USD 197,551). In a statement, the investigative service says the three aimed at not paying […]
New Georgian government to be confirmed by parliament on Saturday
Vice Speaker of Parliament, Manana Kobakhidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The new Georgian government will be put to parliament for a vote of confidence on Saturday. Vice Speaker of Parliament Manana Kobakhidze told journalists on Wednesday that parliament now waits for the president to present the new government, and then […]
New Georgian culture minister a government insider
New Culture Minister Mikheil Giorgadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili on Wednesday presented economist Mikheil Giorgadze, a government insider, as new culture minister. The PM on Monday dismissed seven ministers, but immediately reappointed two of them in new ministerial positions. […]
Foreign prosecutors to help Georgia investigate former officials
(Photo by the Prosecutor’s Office.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three law experts are coming to Georgia to assist with the prosecution of former officials. Many former government officials have been put on trial since the change of government in 2012. Western leaders have expressed concern that the cases […]
Georgian team won medals at young scientist competition
The Georgian team won one gold and two bronze medals. (Photo published by the Education Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A team of Georgian school pupils won one gold and two bronze medals at the 26th International Olympiad in Informatics, which was held in Taiwan July 13-20. The Georgian team consisted of four pupils and two of their leaders. This year, more than 80 […]
Georgian PM names all but one of new ministers
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili (center) presented almost all the new ministers on Tuesday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili on Tuesday named another four out of seven candidates to fill the empty ministers seats left in a major government reshuffle. The first two replacements – for refugee minister and environment minister […]
Georgian parliament speaker visiting Israel
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian speaker of parliament is Tuesday visiting Israel. Davit Usupashvili will meet with Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, Speaker of the Knesset, as well as with the head of the Israel-Georgia Parliamentary Friendship Group, Avraham Michaeli. Usupashvili […]
Ombudsman asks for effective investigation of Armenian church attack
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian ombudsman addresses law enforcement bodies to properly and effectively investigate the attack on priests at an Armenian church on July 19. On Saturday, about 50 people attacked Surb Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi. The Armenian Diocese […]
Cramped student houses in Tbilisi
In one of the student houses on Kekelidze Street in Tbilisi, thirty students are sharing one bathroom. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–At the end of Kekelidze Street, in Vake, one of Tbilisi’s most prestigious districts, there is a lane with small houses with tiny rooms. Mostly students are living here, usually those who were born outside the capital. They had to come here […]
Georgian students: the generation of ‘three nos’
Beka Dadeshkeliani (left), head of the student union for social and political studies, and Beka Bekauri, head of the natural sciences students union. (Click to watch video.) (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–DF Watch on July 18 organized a discussion about the situation of students today. What problems are students facing? How can they be let to realize their skills and knowledge? In what way can the government or educational institutions help them, […]
Seven ministers replaced in Georgian government reshuffle
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili on Monday fired seven ministers: the ministers for agriculture, prisons, refugees, environment, infrastructure, culture and diaspora. Explaining his decision at a morning briefing, he said that for the last two […]
Green concert against maximum resource extraction
The concert was held at Mziuri Park. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–What connects the Khudoni hydro power project, a prehistoric gold mine, shrinking green areas in Tbilisi and human rights abuses in the mining industry? They are all problems caused by the government’s economic policy, according to the youth group […]
Priests attacked at Armenian church in Tbilisi
The incident took place inside the Surb Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi. (Photo published by the Armenian Diocese.) TBILISI, DFWatch–About 50 people physically attacked priests at an Armenian Church in Tbilisi on Saturday. The Armenian Orthodox Church says the attack was motivated by religious and ethnic prejudice, but Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs […]
Indian medical students in Tbilisi
Medical students Nirmal and Aravinoha Samy. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Hundreds of Indians come to Georgia every year to study medicine at Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU). The two Indian friends Nirmal and Samy have been studying at the university for three years and are quite happy about their choice. […]
Georgia ratifies association agreement with the EU
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament on Friday ratified a new agreement with the European Union which was signed three weeks ago. The vote took place at a special session with 123 out of 150 MPs voting for and none against.27 MPs didn’t attend the session. […]
16 year old boy dies in rockslide in Borjomi, Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 16-year-old boy died on late Thursday as a result of a rockslide in Borjomi, a tourist resort in the south of Georgia. Nika Korghanashvili, who was spending his holiday in Borjomi with some friends, was walking home from the sulphur baths […]
Georgian parliament expected to ratify EU treaty Friday
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament will vote on whether to ratify the Association Agreement with the European Union on Friday. Several prominent European politicians are expected to attend the vote, including Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin, Latvian […]
Tbilisi bus drivers on strike following death of colleague
Drivers of line 19 are protesting after one of them died following an argument with a passenger. (Photo published by Tbilisi Transport Company.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Drivers of bus line number 19 in Tbilisi on Thursday laid down work as a sign of protest, after one of their colleagues died on the job. A passenger got into a physical scuffle with a bus driver at noon on the number 19 line in the suburb Ponichala, […]
Georgia signs agreement with Orthodox Church about cultural heritage
David Gareja monastery complex. (Photo: Paata Vardanashvili.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Culture Ministry and Georgian Church will Thursday sign a memorandum about protection of cultural heritage. The memorandum is about taking care of cultural heritage that is in the ownership of the Georgian Church. According to the […]
Georgian soldiers leaving base in Helmand
Georgian ISAF soldiers Afghanistan. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian soldiers are leaving the U.S. military base Leatherneck in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as it is being closed down. According to the Ministry of Defense, the closure of the base is related to the transfer of security responsibility […]
GeoStat publishes foreign trade data for Jan-Jun ’14
Foreign trade turnover in the first half of 2014 was up 16% compared to last year. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first half of 2014 was 16 percent more than last year, according to preliminary data from the National Statistics Department, GeoStat. According to the new report published on Wednesday, the amount of foreign […]
Court adds to Bacho Akhalaia’s pre-trial detention
Bacho Akhalaia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Saturday added further pretrial detention for former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia for the murder of Sergo Tetradze. Akhalaia’s defense lawyers wanted the court to set a 30,000 lari bail, but the court decided on two months […]
Georgia considers reopening Ergneti market
Ergneti checkpoint. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government plans to reopen the Ergneti market on the border with South Ossetia. In recent days, it has said reopening the market would not contradict a free trade agreement Georgia recently signed with the EU. Ergneti market was […]
14 year old girl dead in traffic accident in Rikoti
The accident happened when a minibus struck a truck in Rikoti pass. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A minibus crushed into a truck on Tuesday, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old girl and ten others being injured. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the accident happened at Rikoti Pass, which connects western and eastern Georgia. […]
Georgian president calls ex-ambassador’s death a murder
Erosi Kitsmarishvili was found dead in his car Tuesday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former candidate for Rustavi mayor Erosi Kitsmarishvili was found dead in his car on Kipshidze Street in a prestigious district of Tbilisi. The car was at an underground parking in the building where he was residing. According to the Interior […]
Former ambassador found dead in Tbilisi
Erosi Kitsmarishvili was found in his car with a wound to his head. TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian politician and media investor Erosi Kitsmarishvili was found dead in Tbilisi Tuesday afternoon. The Ministry of Internal Affairs immediately launched an investigation into what appears to have been a suicide, and later the Prosecutor’s […]
Naturalized Chechen still being denied to leave Georgia
Saikhan Muzayev. (Imedi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Chechen refugee continues to claim that he is being harassed by government bodies and that he is not allowed to cross the Georgian border. Non-governmental organizations and the Ombudsman appeal to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to stop violating his […]
Former presidential security staff questioned in ‘top secret’ case
Temur Janashia, former head of the president’s protection service. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has questioned three of former President Mikheil Saakashvili’s security personnel as well as a former maid about a ‘top secret’ matter, refusing to give any details. Former protection service employees […]
Court rejects prosecutor’s motion in case of suspended mayor
Tbilisi City Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Monday rejected a motion by the Prosecutor’s Office to change the USD 30,000 bail set for former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava into pre-trial detention. The judge said that the arguments in the motion were not strong enough […]
New Tbilisi city assembly convenes after the election
Giorgi Alibegashvili was elected new head of Tbilisi City Council. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The new Tbilisi City Council on Monday held its first session after the local election to elect a new council head. Only nine members are being carried over from the previous assembly; four from the Georgian Dream coalition and five from […]
Flight route to connect Mestia with Tbilisi by air
King Tamar Airport in Mestia. (Photo published by United Airports of Georgia.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There will be regular flights between Mestia, in the northwest of Georgia, with Mtskheta, just north of Tbilisi. The route, which opens on July 18, will cut travel time to the tourist resort from seven hours by land to 45 minutes. Flights will depart from the airport […]
Georgian film wins prize at Karlovy Vary film festival
Georgian film director George Ovashvili. (Photo posted on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian film Corn Island won the top prize at the 49th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic on Saturday. According to Agence France Press, the film won among eleven other films. Georgian director George Ovashvili […]
Tbilisi beer festival held at Roses Square
Beer brands on offer included Natakhtari, Kozel, Mtieli and Efes. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi beer festival was held July 12-13 for the fifth year. It brought together thousands of people to drink beer, play games, listen to live performances and watch the World Cup final on a big screen. As usual, people could buy tokens as they entered […]
Clean sweep for government in Georgia’s local election
The Georgian Dream coalition won all races for mayors and heads of municipality in the second round of the local elections. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition won the second round of the local election in every city and municipality, according to preliminary results from Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC). Davit Narmania, Georgian Dream candidate for Tbilisi mayor, […]
Eduard Shevardnadze buried in Tbilisi Sunday
Former Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze was buried in Tbilisi Sunday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Eduard Shevardnadze was buried on Sunday with military honors at his residence in Krtsanisi, Tbilisi. The former Soviet foreign minister and president of Georgia was honored by the speakers of parliament of Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Austrian […]
Bicycle marathon in Tbilisi to promote a healthy lifestyle
Lika Baghashvili, 24, supports the goal of the marathon; to take a stand against drugs and promote a healthy lifestyle. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A bicycle marathon Sunday brought together youth from many countries in Tbilisi. “Live with sport” was the slogan of the marathon, which started from the Sports Ministry at 11:00 in the morning and ended at Freedom Square in downtown Tbilisi. […]
Landslide victory for the government coalition in Tbilisi local election
Tamar Zhvania, head of Georgia’s election commission, announced the preliminary results Saturday night. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government coalition’s candidate for Tbilisi mayor will get 72.7 percent of votes, according to preliminary results from the Central Election Commission (CEC) in Georgia. Presenting the results Sunday night, CEC head Tamar Zhvania […]
Lower voter turnout in Georgia run-off elections
Voter turnout at 17:00 was 28%, compared to 35% on June 15. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The second round of Georgia’s local elections are proceeding without any major violations. Voter turnout at 17:00 was 28% – significantly less than in the first round, when the turnout was 35% at 17:00, according to the Central Election Commission […]
Georgia seizes record 2.8 tons of heroin hidden in trailer
The heroin was found in a trailer truck, hidden inside 93 barrels, each containing 30 kg of liquid heroin. (The trailer in this photo is unrelated to the case.) (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia Friday seized 2.8 tons of liquid heroin hidden in a trailer truck destined for Turkey, in a joint operation between the Interior Ministry and Finance Ministry. The amount of the seized heroin is unprecedented and surpasses a 2.1 ton find last […]
Georgia holds second round of local elections
Georgians go to the polls for run-off elections in eight cities and 13 municipalities today. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Today, Georgia holds the second round of the local election in eight cities and 13 municipalities. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), there are 1,715,514 voters for the second round, who will vote in 28 electoral districts comprising […]
Shevardnadze’s body moved to Sameba Cathedral
The body of former President Eduard Shevardnadze was placed in Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi on Friday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The body of former Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze was moved to Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi on Friday. A prayer was conducted at 13:00. The public funeral will be on Friday and Saturday at Sameba. Sunday, July 13, there will be a funeral […]
EU ambassador: Georgian business will not be served breakfast in bed
EU Ambassador to Georgia Philip Dimitrov. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–EU Ambassador to Georgia Philip Dimitrov says business in Georgia will have to do a lot and is not going to be served breakfast in bed after the signing of the association agreement. Speaking at a conference in Batumi, Dimitrov told […]
Women used as percussion instruments on TV show
The TV show Bina 18 had a musical performance involving two women’s bottoms. TBILISI, DFWatch–A TV show on Thursday has stirred controversy for showing a man performing music by slapping his hands on the bottoms of two women. Human rights activists as well as the ombudsman say […]
Prosecutor says suspended mayor broke bail conditions
Suspended Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has asked a court to further toughen the pre-trial conditions of former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. Ugulava is already in detention for one charge, but in another case he was given 50,000 lari (USD 30,000) bail. […]
Russia allows Georgian export of new products
(Photo by the Ministry of Agriculture.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will begin exporting melons and watermelons and some other products to Russia. The agricultural products will add to goods like alcohol, mineral water and other products, which are already being exported to Russia. The Agriculture […]
British citizen tells of racial discrimination in Tbilisi
British dancer Aaron Shikamaru Charles says he is being repeatedly harassed because of the color of his skin in Tbilisi. TBILISI, DFWatch–A British citizen says he has been subjected to racial discrimination in Tbilisi. Dancer Aaron Shikamaru Charles has lived in Georgia for two years. His wife, Nutsa Eristavi, is Georgian and the artist couple carry out joint projects here. Aaron says […]
NATO envoy to Georgia: Courts must act independently
NATO envoy James Appathurai (left) and Georgia’s Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. (Photo published by the Defense Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO envoy James Appathurai says the justice system shouldn’t be politically motivated and trials must be conducted independently, without political interference. Appathurai, who is on a visit to Georgia, on Wednesday met with Defense […]
Businesses offer discount for Georgians who vote
Gas station companies are among the backers of a new TV ad offering discount for people who vote. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several large companies in Georgia are offering discounts for customers who go and vote in the second round of local elections on Saturday. A commercial appeared on television Thursday, placed by ‘businesses united for a common goal’. It calls […]
No significant changes expected in Russia-Georgia trade relations
The Georgian government’s Russia person, Zurab Abashidze, says no ‘dramatic or significant’ changes are expected in trade and economic relations. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin says it is not necessary to begin threatening sanctions yet, but that Georgia and Russia should sit down and carefully calculate what changes Georgia’s new free trade treaty with the EU might lead to in trade relations between Russia and Georgia. […]
Bishop’s warning against Saakashvili’s party causes controversy
Bishop Iakob. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Is the National Movement a legitimate political party or an antidemocratic movement which leading figures in society have a duty to stand up against? That is the essence of a controversy sparked by a bishop in the Georgian Orthodox Church. […]
Candidates for Tbilisi mayor face off in TV debate
Davit Narmania, Georgian Dream candidate for Tbilisi mayor. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The candidates for Tbilisi mayor are facing off in a televised debate now at 8 PM local time. Davit Narmania from the government coalition has as his main election promise to build a youth center in Tbilisi, while his competitor Nikanor Melia […]
Georgia unveils new symbol for its currency, the lari
The new lari sign as it may look in handwriting. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Bank has unveiled a new symbol for its currency, the lari. The sign is a modified old Georgian letter ‘L’ with two bars, slightly resembling the euro sign. The winner of the National Bank’s competition is a cross between the Georgian letter […]
Lithuania ratifies Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova agreements with EU
The Lithuanian parliament, Seimas. (Photo: Marcin Białek.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Lithuanian parliament on Tuesday ratified the association agreements between Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova with the EU. The vote was almost unanimous, according to the webpage of the national assembly, called Seimas. Lithuania is often […]
Court rejects appeal from ex-mayor
Suspended Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava lost his appeal and must remain in detention. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeal’s Court in Georgia rejected an appeal from former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava and he must therefore remain in detention. Ugulava is charged with embezzlement of more than one million lari from parking fees. His lawyers say they […]
Georgia appoints new ambassador to the UK
Revaz Gachechiladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili on Monday appointed professor Revaz Gachechiladze as new ambassador to the UK, Northern Ireland and the International Maritime Organization. The appointment marks the end of more than a year without a UK ambassador. […]
Many reactions to Shevardnadze’s passing away
Supporters of Gamsakhurdia protested outside Shevardnadze’s residence. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As former Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze died on Monday, aged 86, the same day several people organized a demonstration outside his residence in Krtsanisi, Tbilisi, where he lived in his final years. A group of several people […]